Ventilating means for spotlights on automotive vehicles

Abstract

A spotlight assembly (10) mounted on the roof (R) of an automotive vehicle is manually actuated from a handle (28) to direct a light beam from a lamp unit or assembly (16) in a desired direction. Lamp unit (16) has a generally air tight space formed between a transparent lens (62) and a reflector (40). An inlet opening (63) is provided in a gap in a gasket (58) between the reflector (40) and lens (62) to permit air to enter the interior space. A discharge opening (65) is provided in the bottom of each bowl portion (46) of the reflector (40) to permit the discharge of air from the inner space of the lamp unit (16). A baffle attachment (64) is provided beneath each discharge opening (65) when the lamp unit (16) is in a retracted position as shown in FIG. 5. Baffle attachment (64) has a pair of vanes or baffles (70) which converge in a rearward direction toward the discharge opening (65) to create a venturi effect. During travel of the automotive vehicle, air passing through the baffle attachment (64) crates a suction at discharge opening (65) to draw moisture and air from the interior of the lamp unit (16). Air pressure within the interior of the lamp unit (16) is equalized as the lamps (52) heat and cool during on/off cycles of normal use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A spotlight assembly adapted to fit on a roof of an automotive vehicle for directing a light beam in a desired direction; said lamp assembly comprising: a base secured to said roof;   a lamp assembly mounted on said base for pivotal movement between predetermined positions; said lamp assembly including a body having a transparent lens adjacent a front side and a reflector adjacent an opposed rear side thereof to define a generally air tight inner space therebetween;   a bulb mounted within said body in said space between said transparent lens and said reflector;   an inlet opening of a predetermined relatively small size in said body in fluid communication with said inner space to permit the entry of air within said space particularly upon movement of said vehicle in a forward direction;   an outlet opening of a predetermined relatively small size in said body in fluid communication with said inner space and with atmosphere; and   means on said body for directing air flow past said outlet opening to provide a suction thereat for the discharge of air from said inner space particularly upon movement of said vehicle in a forward direction.   
     
     
       2. A spotlight assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for directing air flow comprises a pair of vanes on opposite sides of said outlet opening converging toward each other in a rearward direction relative to the travel of said vehicle. 
     
     
       3. A spotlight assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein a lower cover extends between said baffles for confining the flow of air between said baffles toward said outlet opening. 
     
     
       4. A spotlight assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reflector includes a pair of bowl-shaped portions for receiving a pair of laterally spaced bulbs; and an outlet opening is in each of said bowl-shaped portions adjacent said bulbs.   
     
     
       5. A spotlight assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body includes a retaining frame for said lens and said reflector includes mounting means for said bulbs; and removable fasteners secure said reflector to said retaining frame to permit access to the interior of said reflector for replacement of said bulbs.   
     
     
       6. A spotlight assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lamp assembly extends laterally beyond opposite sides of said base; and said outlet opening is positioned laterally outwardly of said base to permit an unobstructed flow of air past the outlet opening during movement of the vehicle in a forward direction. 
     
     
       7. A spotlight assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein manual actuating means for said lamp assembly are positioned within the interior of said automotive vehicle and operatively connected to said lamp assembly for pivoting of said lamp assembly in a generally vertical plane and for rotation of said lamp assembly about a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       8. A spotlight assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said base comprises a pair of hemispherical members fixed to opposite sides of the roof of said vehicle to define upper and lower hemispherical members; and said lamp assembly includes a lower concave bearing member fitting on said upper hemispherical member for relative movement to form a ball and socket joint.   
     
     
       9. A spotlight assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein: means mount said lamp assembly on said base for pivotal movement between a retracted position in which the lamp assembly is pivoted downwardly adjacent the roof with the light beam directed upwardly, and an erect position in which tile light beam is directed in a generally horizontal direction;   said means for directing air flow comprising a pair of vanes converging toward each other on opposed sides of said discharge opening to provide a venturi effect for exerting a suction at said discharge opening.   
     
     
       10. A hand operated spotlight assembly adapted to be mounted on a roof of an automotive vehicle for directing a light beam in a desired direction; said spotlight assembly comprising: a pair of fixed mounting members of a hemispherical shape secured to opposed sides of the roof to define upper and lower mounting members;   a lamp assembly of a generally rectangular shape mounted on said upper hemispherical member for pivotal movement between predetermined positions; said lamp assembly including a body having a transparent lens adjacent a front side and a reflector adjacent an opposed rear side thereof to define a generally air tight space therebetween;   a pair of laterally spaced bulbs mounted within said space between said transparent lens and said reflector;   an inlet opening of a predetermined relatively small size in said body in fluid communication with said inner space to permit the entry of air within said space particularly upon movement of said vehicle in a forward direction;   an outlet opening of a predetermined relatively small size adjacent each of said bulbs in fluid communication with said inner space and with atmosphere; and   means on said body for directing air flow past each of said outlet openings to provide a suction thereat for the discharge of air and any entrained moisture from said inner space particularly upon movement of said vehicle in a forward direction.   
     
     
       11. A hand operated spotlight as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for directing air flow comprises a pair of vanes for each outlet opening converging toward each other in a rearward direction relative to the travel of said vehicle. 
     
     
       12. A hand operated spotlight as set forth in claim 10 wherein manual actuating means for said spotlight assembly are positioned within the interior of said automotive vehicle and operatively connected to said lamp assembly for pivoting of said lamp assembly in a generally vertical plane between retracted and erect positions, and for rotation of said lamp assembly about a longitudinal axis.